Thursday, September 07, 2006

September 7, 1976

I graduated from law school in May, turned 25 in June, and took the bar examination (New Jersey -- a real one) on July 28 and 29. On September 7, 1976, your humble and obedient servant reported as instructed at 9:00 a.m. to the headquarters building of the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. to begin work as a trial attorney.

With the exception of a short gap of less than two years, I've been here ever since.

Calendar 1977 was my first year of full-time employment. The Government of the United States of America paid me gross income of $18,244.80. I paid federal income tax of $2,700, District of Columbia income tax was $990.

I have this vague recollection that the first President Bush once referred to September 7th as the day of infamy. At the time, everyone thought that it was just another one of his slips of the tongue. I wonder.

When GF arrived, qualifications included heavy smoking and heavier drinking. But no drinking in the office before 1:00 p.m. Ashtrays all around, bottles in the bottom drawer of (at least) every third desk. For attorneys over 50, bottles in the bottom drawers of 2 of 3 desks.